Jason Collins: "Knucklehead" Player Made Anti-Gay Taunts

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Nets center Jason Collins, who became the NBA’s first openly gay active player last month when he was signed by the team, said he’s been on the receiving end of anti-gay taunts in his first month back on the court, according to reports.

Collins told the Daily News that most of the response to his historic debut has been positive, but he was heckled by one unnamed “knucklehead” during a game.

“One player, one knucklehead from another team,” Collins told the News. “He’s a knucklehead. So I just let it go. Again, that goes back to controlling what you can control. That’s how I conduct myself just being professional.”

The Nets signed Collins, then a free agent, to a 10-day contract on Feb. 23. In his debut in Los Angeles the following night, opposing fans welcomed the big man with a standing ovation.

Last week, the Nets extended the 13-year veteran’s contract through the end of the season. Collins' jersey has also sold well in his return.